How to Plumb a Leaning Building

A leaning building occurs when the base is connected to the ground and the side walls are not secured properly, thus creating a parallelogram shape. To plumb or straighten a leaning building, the shape is forced back into the original rectangular shape. This is accomplished by pulling the leaning sides to their original positions. Garages and sheds are two such buildings that may commonly be pulled back into shape. Larger buildings are more difficult to plumb due to the amount of torque required to move the structure.

1

Secure a 2-by-8 to each of the corner edges of the building with wood screws. Position the long edges of the 2-by-8s so they are flush with one another, creating a sharp, clean corner. You will remove the 2-by-8s after the process is complete; the wood screws provide easy removal.

2

Position a toe hook over the center hole on the heavy-duty angle brace. Mark and drill a second connection hole for the toe hook at a 45-degree angle in the brace.

3

Position a heavy-duty angle brace against the building 6 inches from the top corner of the leaning wall. Secure the angle brace by placing a lag screw through the two outer holes. Repeat the process on the bottom of the opposite side of the wall. Position the holes for the toe hook so they point toward one another.

4

Move to the opposite side of the building. Repeat the previous step, placing the heavy duty angle braces on the opposite corners of the first wall. For example, if you are working on the west side of the building, move to the east. The process to straighten the building requires the two similar angles to be moved at the same time to straighten.

5

Connect the toe hook to the building using a lag screw. Position the toe hook so the hook side points to the center of the wall. Line the holes of the toe hook over the holes in the heavy duty angle brace. Secure to the building.

6

Secure a length of 5/16-inch chain on the top toe hook. Make sure the chain is long enough to extend to within 4 feet of the bottom hook. Secure a 2-ton winch to the lower toe hook and the end of the chain.

7

Move to the opposite side of the building. Repeat the previous step to secure a second chain and 2-ton winch.

8

Crank the winch three to five cranks. Move to the opposite side of the building and repeat. Continue to alternate sides and crank until the building is plumb. Check the process using a level.

9

Place a 12-foot 2-by-4 beneath the chain and winch to create the shape of an X. Secure the 2-by-4 to the building. Repeat the process on the opposite side. The 2-by-4s hold the building's shape.

10

Move to the inside of the building. Locate the two walls that were just straightened. Secure a piece of 8-foot steel T-bracing at a 45-degree angle across each wall. Position the T-bracing so it is opposite of the 2-by-4 on the outside of the building.

11

Remove the winches, chains, toe hooks and 2-by-8s from the building. Fill the holes made by the wood and lag screws with silicone caulking.

Things You Will Need

8 2-by-8s, 8-feet long

4 heavy duty angle braces

1 box 3-inch deck screws

3-inch lag screws

4 1/2-inch lag screws

6-inch lag screws

Heavy duty 1/2-inch drill

Drill bit

4 tow hooks

2-ton winches, 2

5/16-inch chain

Level

2 2-by-4s, 8-feet long

2 steel T-braces, 8-foot

Nails

Hammer

Silicone caulking

Tip

About the Author

Kim Blakesley is a home remodeling business owner, former art/business teacher and school principal. She began her writing and photography career in 2008. Blakesley's education, fine arts, remodeling, green living, and arts and crafts articles have appeared on numerous websites, including DeWalt Tools, as well as in "Farm Journal" and "Pro Farmer."